Hapoel Arad 1-3 Kfar Saba 1928: Israel Cup Report

Kfar Saba 1928 secured their place in the next round of the Israel Cup with a composed 3-1 victory over Hapoel Arad on 14 October 2026. The visitors produced a clinical second-half display to turn a tight cup tie in their favour, ending Hapoel Arad's hopes of a memorable home upset.

Match Overview

Played at the Hapoel Arad Stadium, the cup clash pitted lower-league hosts against a Kfar Saba 1928 side eager to avoid a banana skin. Hapoel Arad started brightly, using the energy of their home support to press high and disrupt Kfar Saba's rhythm. However, the visitors' superior organisation and finishing proved decisive.

Kfar Saba opened the scoring midway through the first half with a well-worked move down the right flank. Hapoel Arad responded before the break, equalising from a set-piece to send the home fans into raptures. But the second half belonged to Kfar Saba, who restored their lead early after the restart and added a third late on to seal the win.

Key Moments

• 18th minute: Kfar Saba take the lead after a low cross is converted at the near post.
• 41st minute: Hapoel Arad equalise with a towering header from a corner.
• 52nd minute: Kfar Saba regain the advantage with a swift counter-attack finished clinically.
• 84th minute: The visitors wrap up the victory with a third goal, punishing Arad as they pushed forward.

Tactical Story

Hapoel Arad set up in a 4-4-2 formation, aiming to soak up pressure and hit on the break. For 45 minutes, the plan worked reasonably well, but as the game wore on, gaps appeared between their midfield and defence. Kfar Saba, operating in a 4-3-3, controlled possession and gradually wore down their opponents. Their midfield triangle dictated the tempo, and the front three stretched Arad's back line, creating space for late runs into the box.

Standout Players

Kfar Saba's central midfielder was the engine room, completing a high percentage of passes and breaking up Arad's attacks. The right winger was a constant threat, assisting the opening goal and causing problems with his direct running. For Hapoel Arad, their goalkeeper made several fine saves to keep the score respectable, while the centre-back who scored the equaliser was a rock at the back for long periods.

What the Result Means

The win sends Kfar Saba 1928 into the hat for the next round of the Israel Cup, keeping their cup run alive. For Hapoel Arad, the defeat ends their participation in the competition, but they can take pride in pushing a higher-ranked opponent for long spells. The focus now shifts back to league duties for both clubs.